Section List

New Principal Cohort Summer Institute 2026 (Day 1 of 2)  

July 14, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Stukey, Heather

ESU 10 New Principal Cohort:  Leading Through Learning

We invite early-career principals—those in their first three years of school leadership—to participate in the New Principal Cohort Summer Institute, a focused two-day professional learning experience designed to build a strong foundation for effective and sustainable leadership.

Throughout the institute, participants will engage in guided reflection, collaborative learning, and strategic planning to:

• Analyze the Current Reality of Their School Community
  Utilize both qualitative and quantitative data to assess school culture, identify areas of strength and need, and inform evidence-based decision-making.
  
  

• Develop a Compelling Vision for Learning
  Articulate a clear, student-centered vision that aligns with instructional priorities and inspires a shared commitment among staff, students, and families.
  
  

• Design a 90-Day Entry Plan based on Michael D. Watkin’s Work
  Create a targeted leadership plan that establishes immediate priorities, builds relational trust, and lays the groundwork for long-term success.
  
  

• Establish a Professional Network and System of Support
  Connect with a cohort of peer leaders to foster collaboration, share best practices, and build a sustained support system beyond the institute.
  
  

Participants will leave the institute with a set of actionable tools, a personalized leadership roadmap, and a network of fellow principals committed to mutual growth and success.

Laser Engraver Training 7/16/2026  

July 16, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Clapp, Kelly

This training is sponsored by the ESU 10 CTE Perkins Consortium.  Learn about the exciting world of laser engraving, including the use of design software, the engraving process, and classroom applications.  Rick Bauer (Elm Creek CTE Teacher) will be leading the training.

LETRS Volume 2 (Units 5-8) Cohort 1 2026-2027 (Day 1 of 4)  

July 21, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Kennicutt, Claudine

Teachers matter more to student achievement than any other aspect of schooling. Teachers need professional development that provides deeper knowledge, skills, and practice to successfully address reading difficulties.

• Understanding the content and methodology of research-based, explicit, structured literacy instruction

• Deep knowledge of the cognitive and language factors that shape student learning and of pedagogical detail

• Information about how to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all student

LETRS for Administrators (Day 3 of 3)  

July 22, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• O'Brien, Denise

This training enables leaders to effectively support educators as they engage in the LETRS course of study and work to implement the learnings in their classrooms. LETRS for Administrators is a professional learning opportunity designed to guide state, district, and building administrators and instructional leaders in creating adaptable and suitable literacy initiatives using systems thinking and implementation science. The program defines the systems and infrastructures required to successfully implement a sustainable literacy program aligned to scientifically based research.

Location:
June 9-10 - ESU 10 Conference Room C
July 22 -ESU10 - Conference Room C

New Teacher Academy ~ July 23, 2026 and July 24, 2026 (Day 1 of 2)  

July 23, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Shepard, Taylor

Please register your new teachers by using the New Teacher Academy Registration form: https://s.esu10.org/NTA2627 

The New Teacher Academy is designed to help prepare and  support new teachers through their first year in the classroom.  This workshop series is based on the new Nebraska Teacher Performance Standards.

Days 1 and 2 are BOTH required for new teachers to attend. New Teacher Academy is a 4-day series, with Days 1 and 2 back-to-back in July.

Day 1 (July 23) will focus on creating a quality learning environment through set up, relationships and classroom management. Day 1 is only for new teachers.

Day 2 (July 24) will include mentors as well as we look at professionalism, planning, and the stages of the first year of teaching. 

Days 3 (Oct 5) and 4 (Jan 28) will address hot topics for these times of year including classroom management, reflection, engagement and instruction strategies, and professionalism.

Participants in ESU 10’s New Teacher Academy have the potential to receive one session of coaching which includes a pre-observation meeting, an observation, and a debrief session to support teacher growth and goal-setting for their first year.

ESU 10 recommends this series to teachers within their first three years of teaching. This year’s series will focus on classroom management, engagement, and relationships.

Participants will register for Day 3 and Day 4 on ODIE during the workshop on July 23-24.

Building Thinking Classrooms K-2  

July 27, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Shepard, Taylor

K-2 educators will have the opportunity to learn from Peter Liljedahl, the author of “Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics”, a book focused on encouraging students to go beyond just following along with instruction, but actually developing into mathematical thinkers.  
Teachers will spend the morning experiencing a Thinking Classroom from the point of view of a learner. Working in groups, participants tackle engaging non-curricular tasks while uncovering at least nine of the fourteen Thinking Classroom practices—all in a short burst of time. The session wraps with rich, collaborative reflection to connect the dots between what was experienced and the practices behind it.
The afternoon shifts gears to a full lesson in action. Teachers compare and contrast their morning experiences, then witness a complete curricular task unfold from start to finish—including launch, activity, consolidation, meaningful note-taking, and Check-Your-Understanding questions. It’s a chance to see Thinking Classroom practices come alive in both theory and practice.

Building Thinking Classrooms 3-5  

July 28, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Shepard, Taylor

3rd-5th grade teachers will have the opportunity to learn from Peter Liljedahl, the author of “Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics”, a book focused on encouraging students to go beyond just following along with instruction, but actually developing into mathematical thinkers.  
Teachers will spend the morning experiencing a Thinking Classroom from the point of view of a learner. Working in groups, participants tackle engaging non-curricular tasks while uncovering at least nine of the fourteen Thinking Classroom practices—all in a short burst of time. The session wraps with rich, collaborative reflection to connect the dots between what was experienced and the practices behind it.
The afternoon shifts gears to a full lesson in action. Teachers compare and contrast their morning experiences, then witness a complete curricular task unfold from start to finish—including launch, activity, consolidation, meaningful note-taking, and Check-Your-Understanding questions. It’s a chance to see Thinking Classroom practices come alive in both theory and practice.

Title III Curriculum Work Day  

July 30, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Ritta-Olson, Theresa

This work day is for teachers of English learners that would like time to work on creating and organizing their EL curriculum. There will be a check-in each morning and teachers will have time to work with their instructional materials and planning for the upcoming year.

*EL (English Learner) educators that stay for at least 5 hours a day will be paid $200in contracted services pay 

**Other educators may attend but will not receive contracted services for their time.

Fundamentals of Literacy - Regional Coaching Roadshow 2026-2027 (Day 1 of 5)  

August 3, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Kennicutt, Claudine

Literacy coaches serve a critical role in supporting teachers by providing job-embedded professional development. Join us for this five-day training series based on literacy coaching modules that have been adapted by The Florida Center for Reading Research.

Whether you are a literacy coach, principal, or teacher leader, you will learn the necessary components, along with the essential knowledge and skills, to become successful literacy leaders and contribute to the improvement of reading instruction and student achievement.

Participants Will:

• Apply principles and practices that foster a positive school culture

• Apply effective methods and practices for coaching both students and adult learners

• Collect data on instructional practices to inform professional learning

• Plan, implement, and analyze literacy instruction based on the science of reading

• Reflect, plan, and implement literacy coaching

Tier 1 Instructional Strategies to Support Classroom Management  

August 4, 2026

• ESU 10 - T&L
• Walters, Amy

Classroom management is strengthened when students believe their teacher is trustworthy, competent, caring, and committed to their success. In this workshop, participants will explore Fisher and Frey’s concept of Teacher Credibility and how it impacts classroom management.